Located on a barrier island close to Miami, Sunny Isles Beach is an ideal place to explore all there is to do in coastal Florida. By partnering with local businesses to provide convenient luggage storage, Bounce makes it easy to explore Sunny Isles Beach without carrying more than you need to.
About Sunny Isles Beach
Until relatively recently, the area now known as Sunny Isles Beach was an undeveloped barrier island off the coast of Florida. In 1920, an investor named Harvey Baker Graves purchased the land and named it Sunny Isles, planning to transform it into a tourist resort. He got his wish when the Haulover Bridge was completed in 1925. This made the area now known as Sunny Isles accessible from Miami Beach. The island was further developed under a new owner in 1936, when the pier was built. Homes and motels began to spring up, and tourists came to stay in them. Lured by Florida’s reliably great weather and the promise of the clear warm waters of the ocean, visitors came in droves to the area.
Tourism is still a huge part of the local economy. And over the years, thanks to successive waves of immigration, the city has become increasingly diverse. Modern-day Sunny Isles Beach has a noticeably Hispanic flavor and is a fun and fascinating place to spend a vacation.
Things to do in Sunny Isles Beach
It wouldn’t take a genius to guess that this area of Florida has some great beaches. After all, the clue is in the name. And it’s those beaches that bring the majority of tourists to this small town on the coast. But as well as beaches, Sunny Isles Beach offers some lesser-known attractions that are worth exploring.
- Enjoy sun, sand, and sea at Sunny Isles Beach. Is it a beach named after a town or a town named after a beach? Either way, the beach is the place in Sunny Isles to see and be seen. Enjoy swimming, water skiing, jet skiing, snorkeling, and sunbathing at this classic Florida location.
- Relax like the locals do at Haulover Park. Located on the southern tip of the island, this park combines grassy lawns and shady trees with beaches. You’ll also find some delicious food trucks here, making it a great place to spend the day. Be aware that some of the beaches are clothing optional, which might be an attraction in itself depending on your preferences.
- Paddle through the waterways of Oleta State Park. Along with sandy beaches, this famous park is home to mangrove swamps and numerous creeks and waterways. Rent a canoe or kayak and explore for yourself.
- Explore history at St Bernard de Clairvaux Church. Not many people come to Sunny Isles Beach to explore historic monuments, but the town is actually home to a 12th-century Spanish church. In the 20th century, the church was dismantled and moved from its location in Segovia, Spain, to be reassembled in Florida.
- See one of Florida’s best beaches at Hollywood Beach. That may sound like a bold claim given the competition, but Hollywood Beach, with its pristine white sand and unbelievably clear turquoise water, lives up to its billing.
Transit options in Sunny Isles Beach
- Fort Lauderdale – Hollywood International is the closest airport to Sunny Isles Beach. Bus line number one runs from the airport to Collins Ave and 186 Street in Sunny Isles Beach, and the journey takes a little over one hour.
- Miami International Airport is only a little further, and the bus from the airport to Sunny Isles Beach takes around an hour and a half.
- Sunny Isles Beach itself is very small and very walkable. There’s just one bus route that runs along Collins Ave, the main street on the island.
Luggage storage in Sunny Isles Beach
The small size of the city makes it a great location to explore on foot. Plus, this is Florida, so sunny days are not in short supply. You can make things much easier on yourself by not carrying more than you need to. Bounce can provide you with luggage storage in Sunny Isles Beach and in hundreds of cities around the world. Drop off your bags with Bounce and explore the city more fully.
Attractions and activities near Sunny Isles Beach
- Fort Lauderdale is just a short bus ride away from Sunny Isles Beach, and this major Florida city and cruise ship terminal is worth exploring. Like its smaller neighbor, Fort Lauderdale offers some incredible beaches and waterfront areas. But it also has a surprising amount of cultural institutions such as art galleries and museums. Plus, it’s an excellent place to explore Florida’s melting pot of cuisines from around the world.
- In case the presence of Oleta State Park didn’t tip you off, Sunny Isles Beach is close to the famous Florida Everglades. An hour’s drive will bring you to this iconic location, and you can arrange tours right from Sunny Isles Beach. Known for its abundant wildlife, the Everglades is home to thousands of alligators, and you can see these prehistoric creatures with a fan boat tour that will keep you safe while you explore this wetland wilderness. Of course, the Everglades are no place for heavy bags, so make sure you drop yours off at a Bounce luggage storage in Sunny Isles Beach before you visit.
- Explore the capital of Latin America in Miami. One of Florida’s biggest cities, Miami has long been a center of immigration, especially from the Spanish-speaking world. As a result, it’s a place where you can experience the different cultures of North, Central, and South America all in one spot. As you might expect, that also makes it a fantastic place to eat, and Miami is home to some of the best restaurants in the country. Drop off your luggage at a Bounce luggage storage location and immerse yourself in the vibrant life of this unique city.